My Big Block Volare Wagon Project

[bremereric]

I am glad the ropes held..I would have been squeezing my butt cheeks real tight watching that body drop..:ky:

 

[Wagonmaster]

The main rope was a good sized strong one that could probably have held it on its own. I used the lighter rope as backup. There is no weight to the car. I could pick the front end up myself without the hoist.

Im just glad that part is over with...Now the fun part of getting it hooked up and everything working. May have to wait till next spring though. I live about an hours drive away from where its parked. Time to kick back and let the cold weather come in

 

[bremereric]

The main rope was a good sized strong one that could probably have held it on its own. I used the lighter rope as backup. There is no weight to the car. I could pick the front end up myself without the hoist.

Im just glad that part is over with...Now the fun part of getting it hooked up and everything working. May have to wait till next spring though. I live about an hours drive away from where its parked. Time to kick back and let the cold weather come in

If you ever meet MeMike ask him where he got the tent/garage. Thay way you could keep it at your place out of the weather.

 

[Wagonmaster]

I do have it in one of those tent/garage things. And it helps a lot to keep it in there. But where Im renting in town there is no room for it. We got a small house and they are pretty strict on what goes on too, which I like since it keeps these places clean.

 

[Wagonmaster]

Got a steering column setup to clear my hedman header. The header still rubs a bit on the firewall but it wont take much to fix that.

 

[bremereric]

Getting close Wagonmaster

 

[Wagonmaster]

Im still debating on rear end gear. I got both a 3.55 and a 2.94. The 3.55 is used with about 200k miles on it. I dont really have the cash to buy new gears at the moment and I got a brand new Suregrip I acquired a couple years ago. Im not wanting all out power. Id love to be able to make a few 100-200 mile trips around here and have some form of economy to be able to drive this thing as much as I want. Not just the occasional weekend when I can afford gas. I kept the cam almost stock, headers, factory high stall converter. Any thoughts would be great.
Thanks
Wade

 

[bremereric]

I would keep it a 440 cruiser...keep that 2.94 high gear and make those trips...I bet you will still be able to smoke the tires real easy. Gas prices aren't going down any time soon is the other reason.

 

[Wagonmaster]

Thanks. That does still sound good to me. Dont get me wrong, Id love to have some 3.91's or 4.10's but that would keep it parked in the driveway too much I think.

 

[Wagonmaster]

Big radiator. Sorry about the small pic. The rad. fits a 73 bb Dodge truck. 26" x 22"

 

[bremereric]

Wade there was some prior radiator discussion here...

http://www.forfmjbodiesonly.com/classicmopar/showthread.php?t=348

I was wondering how your water pump pulley to radiator clearance is with that big block. I know my 440 in my Dart sucks. Clearance that is. How about you air cleaner clearance to the hood?

 

[Wagonmaster]

The clearance is good. I mounted up my 7 bladed clutch fan and the spacing was perfect. Now just gotta dig my shroud out and try it on. The price on the 73 Dodge truck with big block was a little cheaper than the 87. I went through the catalog to find it. My overflow hose comes out on the wrong side but its no biggie to fix. All I had to do was drill a couple holes in the radiator flange to mount it at the right height.

 

[Wagonmaster]

Just a few more pics. The 440 sits in there good. It kind of looks small in there compared to some other big block rides.

 

[MiradaMegacab]

:thumbsup: That's cool!

I wish I did the big block install years ago. I got too much money in small block parts now to convert to a big block. Good luck on your project.

 

[ramenth]

That big block looked like it was meant to be there.

 

[Wagonmaster]

It came together nicer than I thought under the hood. I can imagine many of people telling me stories of how somebody in their family had one just like it with the original 440 back in the day... I think it will make a nice cruiser:headbang:

 

[crayzcuda]

Looking mighty fine! That's going to be one wicked wagon!

 

[83Imp]

Can't wait until I can free up the funds to do this to the Imperial... Nice work WM, especially "doin it in the driveway" so to speak.

 

[Wagonmaster]

Yeah its a little harder not having a garage but Im still chugging away on it. Got the wiring harness all wrapped up and ready to go. Still got some small pieces to purchase before I fire it up.

 

[Eastyorker]

Nice project, any updates?